INTRODUCTION

One of the most

challenging responsibilities
faced by management is
motivating their employees to
put effort into doing their
best work. Managers also
believe that this is their most
important function. This task
can be a challenging one,
though. This is because there
are a multitude of needs that
must be met to satisfy and
motivate employees. Additionally, not all employees have the same needs, and the
variety of employees in the workforce is becoming more diverse. Thus, it is
imperative for management to learn, understand and create systems within the
organization that can appeal to diverse workforce and meet their needs that drive
motivation.

The commotion about the so-called “generation gap” seems to be on the rise,
and some believe it is constantly widening. Generation gap or generational gap is a
difference of opinions between one generation and another regarding beliefs,
politics or values. They can also be distinguished from one another through the
language they use, technological influences, workplace attitudes and generational
consciousness.

Each generation was raised under different sets of circumstances which helped
shaped their beliefs and viewpoints. Each generation is also characterized by
different sets of values and traits.

Currently the country's labor force is comprised of five generations; the

Traditionalists, the Baby boomers, Generation X, Generation Y and Millenials.

Traditionalists comprise the oldest generation who were born before the year
1945 and currently ages 75 to 80. They are also the rapidly declining part of the labor
force, with most retiring or already retired. And despite of isolation from other
generation due to mostly different values and culture, they still plays an important
role in today's world. With this research we can learn more about the traditionalists,
their values, characteristics and attitudes at work, why they deserve the respect of
younger generations inside or outside the organization and to help management do
their responsibilities through learning more about generational gap that will arise
from their Traditionalists or Silent Generation employees.

HISTORY

Traditionalists are known as the silent generation, because children of this era
were expected to be seen and not heard. Some call them the silent generation
because unlike the other generations, they dont like to make a fuss. They were also
know as " radio babies", "veterans" and "forgotten generation". It is also referred to
the lost generation. Because after the war, many of them were disillusioned with the
world in general and unwilling to move into settled life. This generation was born
over 15 yeas to 1946. They average from 75-80 years old in 2018.

This generation
was born during the
years that followed
the Great Depression,
Korean War, Space
Age and throughout
the Second World
War. They were
raised by parents that
just survived the
Great Depression.
The silent generation
experienced hard
times while growing
up which were followed by times of prosperity.

The term "silent generation " first appeared in a 1951 essay in Time Magazine,
which referred to the silence during the Mc Carthy era and the willingness to
assimilate into social order. This period included great unemployment and the
resulting difficulties from an inability to put food in the table to keep a roof over
their head.

They were also known as the pre-boomers. These kids were born into a truly
calamitous era, and the very first teenagers in the 1950s. Perhaps in anticipation of
the youth revolution that followed in the 1960s, pre-boomers invented primitive
forms of teenage counter culture. But the pre-boomers group of youth culture came
crashing down in the northern summer of 1967. But the pre-boomers shooting star
collapsed in the late 1980s.

Many may argue the older generation is set in their ways but there is much to
learn from this generation, who were raised in an era free from technology and
absent of the many privileges that millenials enjoy today. It was marked as a group
of struggling seniors. They are so quiet that's why most people don't even know they
exist.

ATTRIBUTES

Silent generation has some distinct characteristics that makes them different from
other generations. These are some of their characteristics:

 Loyal - Many of them worked for the same

employer their entire life and are less
likely to change jobs to advance their
careers. They are also loyal to their
country.

 Hardworking - They grew up during lean

times and consider work a privilege. Their
common belief is that hard work and
grueling hours are the only way to success.
 Respectful - The Silent Generation was raised to respect authority. They are
excellent team players and generally don’t rock the boat or create conflict in the
workplace.

 Strong Determination - They Have

Willpower. They tend to be dogged and
determined, willing to go the distance
even if they have to dig deep for the
strength to do so.

 Value Tradition - This generation values

traditional morals and support conformity
and consistency. They respect the chain of
command and prefer in-person
interactions to online and web-based
exchanges.

 Not technologically advanced - It’s not

surprising that they are slow to change
their work habits because most of them
are not as technologically adept as the
younger generations.
 Risk averse - They were'nt risk takers, but
were stern believers in government
policies.

 Submissive - They didn't instigate any

protest against anything. They accepted
 everything in silence without any qualms.

 Contented - They were often forced to

take jobs that didn't necessarily appeal to
them. They took what work was available,
and they were grateful for it.

 Conservative - They grew up in the era

where girls should be feminine, don't wear revealing clothes, and always stay in
their home.

Many of them had to toughen up and bear down to earn a living in those days to
simply survive.. Silent generation values stability, safety, security, consistency and
commitment. They also see work as a team effort and avoid conflict.
WORK ETHICS AND CORE VALUES

Due to the fact that the distinction between right and wrong has become
increasingly blurred, employees are faced with ethical dilemmas on a daily basis
(Robbins et al., 2009: 16).

Values are often thought of as something highly esteemed or particularly

important to an individual (Schwartz, 2006: 1). Values, according to Rokeach (1973:
4), can be defined in terms of permanent beliefs and specific behavioural patterns
which are preferred.

This are the list of work ethics and core values silent generation has:

 Rules - They adhere to the rules.

 Collective good - They love to contribute for the good of everyone.
 Disciplined
 Duty - Duty before pleasure.
 Expect others to honor their commitments and behave responsibly
 Respect - They like to be respect.
 Motivation - They like to hear motivational massages.
 Practical knowledge
 Socialization
 Family - Their focus is their family.
 Giving back - It is important for them to give back to others.
 Law and order -They value due process and fair play.
 Loyalty
 Attendance
 Patriotism - Love and devotion to a homeland, and a sense of alliance with other
citizens who share the same values.
 Patience - They have the ability to endure difficult circumstances.
 Money - They value money.
 Belief in how things were - Things should stay the same way.
 Privacy - Don’t expect members of this generation to share their inner thoughts.
 Hard Work - They believe in paying their dues.
 Trust - A traditionalist’s word is his/her bond.
 Formality - They prefer formal communication style. They value formal dress and
organizational structure .
 Authority and institutional leadership - They have a great deal of respect for
authority. They don’t question authority.
 Social order
 Things - This group loves their stuff and they won’t get rid of it.

WORK PERSPECTIVE

AN OBLIGATION
WORK
A LONG TERM CAREER
What They Are Looking For In a Job ?

 Recognition and respect for their

experience

 Value placed on history/traditions

 Job security and stability

 Company with good reputation and ethics

 Clearly defined rules/policies

 Do what you know needs to be done

COMMUNICATION

How to interact with them within the organization?

 Discrete (communication gap)

 Present your story in a formal, logical manner
 Show respect for their age/experience (address as Mr., Sir, Mrs.)
 Use good grammar and manners (no profanity)
 Deliver you message based on the history/traditions of the company and how
they can fit
 Use formal language
 Don’t waste their time
 Use inclusive language (we, us)
 Focus-words not body language
 Slow to warm up
 Memo
 Like hand-written notes, less email and more personal interaction

LIKES AND DISLIKES

Through their values, culture and character we can easily identify their likes and
dislikes.

 Like to be respected - they want respect because they are old and have lot of
experience other than the next generation.

 Like to be conservative in workplace. - Silent generation are very conservative in

terms of beliefs and values because they want what the best for them.

 Dislike conflict - They dislike conflict because they are organized, hardworking
and dedicated to their job.

 Dislike new technology - Other Silent generation are not updated and using
social media because of their barriers in terms of age. As you get older, you
might find yourself having more spare time.
REFERENCES

 https://activerain.com/blogsview/4815433/traditionalist-or-silent-generation-ch
aracteristics.

 http://www.valueoptions.com/spotlight_YIW/traditional.htm
 https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/aging/senior-health-lifestyle/10-act
ive-senior-hobbies.htm

 http://sixtyandme.com/list-of-hobbies-for-women-over-50-amazing-ideas-from-
the-sixty-and-me-community/

 https://www.alexisabramson.com/the-silent-generation-characteristics-and-fact
s-you-need-to-know/

 https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.news.com.au/news/the-silent-generation
/news-story/83226afa56f9892a2f42b84eb2de5358

 https://www.thebalancecareers.com/workplace-characteristics-silent-generatio
n-2164692

 http://www.ideaassociates.com/2012/07/03/the-silent-generation/

 http://www.wmfc.org/uploads/GenerationalDifferencesChart.pdf

 http://ir.cut.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11462/1172/Sobayeni%2C%20Ntomzodwa
%20Caroline.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y